By Nkechinyere Ewa-Okpara
The surge in child malnutrition across Nigeria has drawn strong concern from Tilova for Africa (TFA), a U.S.-based non-profit and non-governmental charity organisation headquartered in New Hampshire.
In a statement issued by the organisation’s co-founder, Mr. Martin Nwabueze, TFA described the escalating situation as “unprecedented and unacceptable,” warning that Nigeria’s future is at risk if urgent, coordinated action is not taken.
“There is an overwhelming rise in severe acute malnutrition (SAM) admissions in the country. A particular state records over 400 daily admissions, and the situation could deteriorate further. This is not something that should be allowed to continue,” Nwabueze stated.
He cited a recent report indicating that one in every three Nigerian children faces extreme food poverty, a factor that increases their vulnerability to malnutrition. He stressed that many of these children are already affected by stunting, wasting, and being underweight, conditions that pose long-term health and developmental consequences.
According to TFA, the root causes of the crisis include multi-dimensional poverty, rising inflation, insecurity particularly persistent attacks by armed herdsmen and poor access to healthcare. These challenges have disrupted agricultural production, forcing many families into deeper hunger and deprivation.
“It is estimated that about eight million babies are born annually in Nigeria, one of the highest birth rates globally. Sadly, many of these children begin life already burdened by poverty and deprivation,” Nwabueze said.
He cited figures from a UNICEF report that places Nigeria as the country with the second-highest burden of stunted children globally, with 32 percent of children under five affected. Stunting, he warned, “permanently affects brain development and learning capacity,” creating lifelong disadvantages.
The impact of the crisis is most acute in conflict-affected regions and internally displaced persons (IDP) camps. A state commissioner for humanitarian affairs in North Central Nigeria recently disclosed that over 33,000 malnourished children are currently living in IDP camps and host communities.
“These children are living in deplorable conditions. Some are with their parents, others completely unaccompanied, having lost their families to violent attacks. In such camps, food is a luxury, often only available during monthly government distributions or rare humanitarian visits,” he added.
The international medical humanitarian group, Doctors Without Borders (Médecins Sans Frontières MSF), also raised concern over the scale of the crisis, reporting over 400 daily admissions for child malnutrition in Kebbi State and at least 652 child deaths from malnutrition in Katsina State in just the first half of 2025.
TFA called on the Nigerian government, development partners, local communities, and international donors to intensify efforts to tackle the crisis. The organisation stressed the need for sustainable interventions including nutrition programs, agricultural support, improved access to primary healthcare, and social protection policies targeting vulnerable families.
“Nigeria’s future lies in its children. If we endanger them today, we are sacrificing our tomorrow. It’s time for concrete, multi-sectoral action to arrest this emergency before it becomes an irreversible tragedy,” Nwabueze said.